Exodus and Freedom

Sunday is our last lesson in Exodus. In November we study Leviticus, but not to panic. I had to write a quarterly once on Lev-Numbers, and I found a lot more interesting stuff than I expected to. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we're entering Halloween week – Hallowed Eve, All Saints Day. The latter was begun by Catholics, I imagine in the tradition of the Athens altar to the “unknown god” in case they had missed one. Paul declared he had met that God and His name was Jesus, so He is no longer unknown.

Speaking of Catholics, I found a beautiful blog this week from a Nun with a great idea. She teaches school kids New Testament, and she always asks how this passage contributes to freedom! Don't know whether I've even mentioned freedom in this study, certainly not enough. Exodus is all about freedom. The Lord freeing His people from slavery is the central theme. In fact, it's the great saving act of God in the OT, mentioned again and again in the Psalms and prophets, even in the NT!

But notice how Israel had trouble with freedom. They kept limiting it. Run into a spot of trouble, and they were all for running back to let the Egyptians take care of them. Then when Moses stayed on the mountain longer than they thought proper, they chained themselves to a golden statue, fashioning their own slavery. They couldn't control this YAHWEH, let's confine Him in a bull's body where He's predictable. No more scary appearances and commanding discipline.

Sound like anyone you know? Sure.

But how free are you? How have you chained yourself up?

Now let's look at the parts of the last chapters that our editors have chosen for Sunday...

When the craftsmen finished their work, they presented it, and Moses inspected it. The Lord instructed Moses to set up the tabernacle on the first day of the first month. That may be indicating a tradition that Israel's dating system was to begin with the setting up of the tabernacle and all its fittings.

When they set up the Tabernacle, aka the Tent of Meeting, the cloud covered it, and even Moses would not enter. The cloud was the strong indicator of the presence of the Lord. That first awesome appearance was perhaps His way of personally dedicating their place of worship.

The cloud found its resting lace over the tent. At night it was replaced by fire. Sinai, aka Horeb, was also called the Mount of God. They may have thought of it as His dwelling place. Scholars mostly agree that Sinai was a volcano, which fits with Moses and Elijah experiencing God in earthquake, fire, and wind. If so, the cloud and fire would be a reminder of the Lord, and it may have been as if God were taking His home with them and pitching His tent among His people.

Finally, the Lord would lead them by the cloud and the pillar of fire. They were to follow the cloud when it moved on, and when it grew too dark to see, the fire replaced it. God was leading His people and pitched His tent among them.

How does God lead you today? Probably not by clouds or fired. How? Do you feel He dwells among us still?

And do His laws restrict us or free us?